Eight tonnes of tobacco leaf seized
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 16:40Eight tonnes of tobacco leaf, which represents an estimated loss to Revenue of €4m, has been seized in Co Monaghan.
Customs officers seized the consignment and paraphernalia required to manufacture up to 12m cigarettes from a 40ft-container, which had arrived via Holyhead into Dublin Port on Monday.
The load, which was declared as paper, showed up inconsistencies when profiled by officers and when scanned by the Customs X-ray scanner.
The consignment was followed to a premises in Co Monaghan where officers moved in and seized the illegal load.
Officers believe it was destined for a cigarette-making plant in the border area.
The investigation is ongoing nationally and internationally.
